The Recording Academy has unveiled a new category for their annual Grammy Awards. The new category, “Best Traditional Country Album,” will debut in 2026. They have also renamed “Best Country Album” with the title, “Best Contemporary Country Album”.
The new category comes just one year after the controversy that followed the 2025 award winners. With Beyoncé taking home “Best Country Album,” fans of all genres began to question the validity of the category, given Beyoncé was up against some of country music’s most legendary voices. Although a vote was cast and a final decision reached, many questioned whether grouping such vastly different artists into the same category was fair. There has also been concern about the qualifications of the voters for each award, which surround their knowledge of each genre.
After months of hubbub, it appears The Recording Academy acknowledged the importance of the debate, leading to the separation between contemporary and traditional categories. Although we don’t know the nominees for the 2026 award show, it will be interesting to see who is selected for each award. Adding “Best Traditional Country Album” will likely shed the spotlight on artists that might’ve never been considered for The Grammy Awards, further increasing the reach of the country’s current scene.
